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ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS FOR 2006

Dianthus F1 ‘Supra Purple’
Bedding Plant Award Winner

'Supra Purple' fills garden space with color. This dianthus is a cross between
various species and the result is a strong plant that will flower under hot
summer growing conditions. 'Supra Purple' plants remain under a foot in height,
but they are vigorous and continue flowering through the growing season. The
growing season in the South could be fall and early winter. A long flowering
period was one of the superior traits observed by AAS Judges. 'Supra Purple'
plants adapt to different growing conditions. They are recommended for
containers and rock gardens. They will add continuous bloom to a perennial
border, which may need more color. 'Supra Purple' was tested as an annual and
won the award based on the first year performance, but similar to other
dianthus, it may over winter and flower next spring.

The 'Supra Purple' single flowers have highly fringed petal edges which are
perfect for decorations. Add them to salads, bouquets, or float some on water
for an eye-catching centerpiece. The color is closer to a rosy-purple than the
dark, almost black-purple, seen on some plants. 'Supra Purple' may become one of
your favorite new annuals.

'Diamonte Coral Rose' is an improved variety in a class that was relatively
unknown five years ago. Diascia is native to South Africa, like gerbera and
dimorphotheca. 'Diamonte Coral Rose' exhibits earliness, freedom of bloom and
hybrid vigor as improved traits. There is a connection among all three because
as a breeder creates a hybrid, these multiple qualities are the breeding
objectives. Hybrid vigor results in a long blooming season and profuse flowering
which judges observed during the trial. 'Diamonte Coral Rose' is a frost
tolerant annual. The plants perform well during the hot summer growing season
and under cool growing conditions, such as the fall and winter seasons in
southern locations. The category, Cool Season Bedding Plant Trial, means 'Diamonte
Coral Rose' was tested at southern sites during the winter, and won the award.

'Diamonte Coral Rose' flowers are tubular with backward pointing spurs. The
five-lobed blooms have broad lower lobes. 'Diamonte Coral Rose' plants have a
spreading habit and are perfectly designed for any container. Planting them
close to the lip will encourage the plant to cascade over the side. Needing a
full sun growing location, 'Diamonte Coral Rose' combines well with other cool
tolerant annuals, such as snapdragons or dianthus. Exceptional garden
performance can be expected from 'Diamonte Coral Rose.'

'Perfume Deep Purple' flowers are shaped like stars. The stars shine at night
and this is when 'Perfume Deep Purple' begins its performance. The unique
quality is the strong fragrance which scents the air in the evening. The
fragrance is not wasted during the day when many people are working. The nightly
release of the perfume will entice gardeners to relax and linger in their
gardens. Consider 'Perfume Deep Purple' as natural aromatherapy. The rich,
lavish deep purple flower color is another unique trait, distinct from other
nicotianas. 'Perfume Deep Purple' is easily grown from seed, young green bedding
plants or flowering pot plants. Nicotiana, named for Jean Nicot, who introduced
tobacco to the French Court, needs a sunny location and is perfectly adaptable
to container culture.

'Black Pearl' is a handsome plant with black foliage. But the standout
quality is that 'Black Pearl' looks better as the summer season progresses.
The plants branch, producing more clusters of black, pearl-like, shiny
peppers. The plant grows taller and wider developing into a black pyramid
shape without pinching, pruning, or grooming. 'Black Pearl' is exceptionally
heat tolerant and requires minimal water and fertilizer. It is easy to grow
from seed, bedding plants or pot plants with fruit set. There are no serious
insect or disease problems. As the plant matures, the black peppers turn red,
adding a new color to the plant. While edible, the peppers are very hot. Use
with care! Black foliage is very trendy and 'Black Pearl' delivers true black
leaves to the full sun garden. 'Black Pearl' is an effective background plant
particularly with silver, white or pastel flowering annuals in the
foreground.

Never out of bloom, 'Black Pearl' has already been selected as a "most
popular" new plant by consumers visiting a trial ground. Its foliage, color
and low care will attract many gardeners and "non-gardeners" to 'Black
Pearl.' It performs exceptionally well in containers and deserves to be
featured as the centerpiece.

'Evolution' is the first Salvia farinacea with lilac flower spikes.
From a distance, 'Evolution' flowers are several shades lighter than its
closest comparison. This new color is desirable for garden use as it widens
the color choices for "blue" annuals. Belonging to the mint family,
‘Evolution' is easy to grow. Gardeners can begin with seed, young bedding
plants or flowering potted plants with the confidence that 'Evolution' will
provide continuous color from early summer to the first hard frost. Treated
as an annual in the North, 'Evolution' may be a perennial in frost-free
areas. Native to Texas, Salvia farinacea is heat and drought tolerant.
'Evolution' is low maintenance. No deadheading is needed for all-season
color. Relatively disease and pest free, 'Evolution' will perform best in a
full-sun location.

There are two more advantages that 'Evolution' offers gardeners. The plants
are quite adaptable and can be grown in patio containers or ceramic pots. The
lilac flower spikes can be cut, dried and used as everlasting flowers for
bouquets, decorations or craft projects. 'Evolution' deserves a sunny spot in
an annual or perennial garden for its non-stop color.

'Skippy XL Red-Gold' is the first Viola cornuta to earn the
prestigious AAS Award. Three improvements were exhibited in AAS trials. The
unique combination of colors is first to be observed. 'Skippy XL Red-Gold'
flowers are ruby red with a violet red shading below the golden yellow face
containing whiskers. This combination is found on 'Skippy XL Red-Gold' only.
The flower shape and size are definitely improved. The round 1 1/2 inch
flower is similar to a pansy, and larger than many viola blossoms. The
lasting and enduring flower color provided by 'Skippy XL Red-Gold' is another
notable trait. The freedom of bloom is attributed to the plant's ability to
bud and flower under a wide range of temperatures. It is this adaptability
that results in continuous bloom.

'Skippy XL Red-Gold' was tested across the US and Canada, but unlike other
trials, this AAS winner was tested in the South during the fall and winter
seasons. This is the time for peak performance. 'Skippy XL Red-Gold' achieved
this exceptional garden performance to win the AAS award. 'Skippy XL
Red-Gold' can be relied on for flower color whether it is grown in an annual
or perennial border, window box or patio planter. Gardeners can expect
superior performance from 'Skippy XL Red-Gold.'

'Zowie! Yellow Flame' is the first semi-tall zinnia with a unique bicolor
pattern. Each bloom flames with a scarlet-rose center and yellow petal edges.
There is no other zinnia with this fiery design. In addition, this bicolor
pattern is consistent from one plant to another. As expected, there are more
desirable traits from 'Zowie! Yellow Flame.' Gardeners will be glad to learn
'Zowie! Yellow Flame' is easy to grow from seed, young bedding plants or
flowering potted plants. 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' will prove its long flowering
season with dazzling blooms from early summer to final killing frost. During
this season-long color, 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' blooms can be cut for bouquets.
The University of Maryland conducted cut flower trials and found 'Zowie!
Yellow Flame' had a vaselife of up to two weeks.

'Zowie! Yellow Flame' is highly recommended for containers because plants are
heat and fairly drought tolerant. With zinnia plants in containers, gardeners
will find less time is spent watering. 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' functions well
as the tall centerpiece plant surrounded by other full-sun annuals, such as
yellow marigolds or purple-leaved foliage plants. Gardeners can depend on 'Zowie!
Yellow Flame' to illuminate any garden plantings.

'Purple Haze' is the only imperator-shaped purple carrot. Purple is a very
trendy color and gourmet chefs are always looking for a new vegetable color.
'Purple Haze' has a purple exterior and orange interior. Circles of cut
'Purple Haze' carrots have two distinct colors: a halo of purple with a
bright orange center. The best appearance of 'Purple Haze' will be raw in
salads or cole slaw. When cooked in water, the purple color will fade. When
carrots are cooked quickly, as in a stir-fry, the purple color will remain.
Best of all, 'Purple Haze' tastes great. It has a sweet flavor no matter what
color.

'Purple Haze' is easy to grow from seed. Sow seed in prepared soil as early
as possible. Place seed 1/2 inch deep and cover with soil. The garden soil
should be rich, loose, deeply worked with excellent drainage to grow 12-inch
long, straight carrots. Expect germination in 14-21 days. Thin seedlings to
be 2 inches apart. The purple pigment is influenced by soil temperature and
drainage. The strongest purple color will occur when plants are grown at
59-68°F. For gardeners with heavy clay soil, growing 'Purple Haze' carrots in
patio containers is a snap. Use the same growing directions as soil, but
water more frequently, since the soil in containers has a tendency to dry out
more rapidly.

'Delfino' is an aromatic, edible herb, and unlike other coriander has unique,
fine fern-like foliage. 'Delfino,' like all cilantro, offers gardeners two
distinctly different flavors in one handsome plant. 'Delfino' is easily
grown, preferring a full sun location. The branching plant produces more
leaves, resulting in a higher yield of this edible herb. The leaf flavor is
similar to a strong parsley taste with citrus. The fine 'Delfino' foliage is
perfect for recipes, such as salsas, requiring finely chopped leaves. Less
chopping is needed. Store fresh 'Delfino' foliage with stems in a glass of
water. By changing the water often, foliage remains fresh for a week.

'Delfino' plants will bolt, or flower, at higher temperatures. The small
white blooms are delicious with a flavor similar to the foliage. Add cut
flowers to salads. Luckily, the flowers are produced abundantly. Allow some
flowers to "go to seed," which is coriander. The seed is formed in small
pods, which will dry, harden and turn brown. When brown, they are ripe and
ready to harvest. Use seed whole or crushed for a citrus flavor in homemade
soup or chili. 'Delfino' is a dual nature herb - two flavors in one plant
that is adaptable to container gardening. Plant 'Delfino' next to the edges
so it cascades over the lip of the pot, adding the handsome texture to a full
sun container garden.

'Carmen' is an improved sweet pepper with an unusual shape. Most gardeners
think of a bell shape when "sweet" peppers are mentioned. Not so any more.
'Carmen' is an Italian bull's horn type which refers to its elongated shape,
about 6 inches long. The medium thick flesh is the sweetest when it is ripe
red, but 'Carmen' peppers are sweet even when immature or green. One of the
improved traits is the earliness to ripe red. Gardeners can look for red
peppers about 75 days after transplanting into warm garden soil. The other
improved traits are sweet flavor and high yield. The yield of a pepper plant
is determined by its adaptability. 'Carmen' proved to be widely adaptable,
flowering and setting fruit over a wide temperature range. Like all peppers,
'Carmen' will produce the highest number of peppers when grown in full sun
and given proper nutrients and water.

'Carmen' plants are productive with an upright, medium height of 28 to 30
inches. This plant size is perfectly adaptable to larger patio containers.
Grow 'Carmen' plants with sun-loving, trailing annuals such as verbena to
drape over the edge. This is the most trendy combination planter - growing
edibles and annuals together. 'Carmen' is easy to grow in gardens or larger
sized containers.

'Mariachi' is named after the Mexican regional musical band that became
popular in Jalisco, Mexico in the mid-1800's. Both the band and the pepper
are festive and colorful, reminding us to enjoy our outdoor living spaces and
gardens. 'Mariachi' is a beautiful plant, deserving a sunny location in an
annual or perennial flower bed. 'Mariachi' sets fruits and produces an
abundant crop of high quality, mild chile peppers. The chile peppers are
pendant, meaning they will hang below the stem. It is a fleshy pepper that
ripens from creamy white to rose, then red. Some people may wait for the
mature red pepper, but because its flavor is delicate and complex, having
fruity undertones reminiscent of melons, the gardeners will harvest them at
the creamy white stage. 'Mariachi' peppers are moderately pungent, with
Scoville readings in the 500 to 600 range when grown under non-stressful
conditions. Add stress, such as extremely hot weather or overly dry soil, and
Scoville readings may rocket.

'Mariachi' chiles can be used in salsas or sauces and are especially
flavorful when roasted whole on the grill or under the broiler. 'Mariachi'
peppers can be used in many dishes, either raw or cooked, but the reason to
grow vegetables is the exceptional taste and highest nutritional value -
fresh from your garden.